Hawaii Surf Retreat Fall 2018
UPDATE September 10: Fall Camp Now SOLD OUT!
Maui Surfer Girls is excited to announce that we are hosting our second annual Fall Women’s Hawaii Surf Retreat, to coincide with Maui’s biggest party – Halloween on Front Street!
Our women’s surf retreat (surf camp!) is an all-inclusive surf retreat for beginner and intermediate surfers ages 18 and up. Oceanfront accommodations, daily surf lessons, tropical adventures, and an assortment of activities throughout the week will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Image: Kat Gaskin
No surfing experience is necessary, just an adventurous spirit! Our women’s camps are perfect for solo female travelers or girlfriend getaways alike. Whether it’s facing your fears of the ocean, taking your sport to the next level, or just taking a week to reconnect with yourself, there’s something for everyone at this camp.
These darling cabins can be your home away from home for an entire week at our teen and women’s surf camps! Image: Kat Gaskin
Includes:
- Professional surf coaching
- Full quiver of surfboards
- Healthy and delicious meals and snacks
- Shared beachfront cabins
- On-island transportation
- Oceanside massage
- Afternoon activities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Mystery adventure on final night
- prAna welcome bag
- Optional Side Trip to Lahaina for Halloween, complete with designated drivers!
Not included:
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuity
Cost: $1,950 per camper
Dates: Monday, October 29- Saturday, November 3
SOLD OUT!!!
Now booking January, June and October / November 2019!!!
Surf Coaches
Kelly Potts is a professional surfer, an exceptional surf instructor and a proud prAna ambassador. She is highly skilled at teaching the mechanics of long boarding, and her graceful and innovative surfing style serves as inspiration for our campers and staff alike. Kelly also hosts free clinics around the country, empowering girls and women to come together through the sport of surfing. Kelly has been a part of the MSG team since 2004, and we are excited to have her as a part of our Hawaii Surf Retreat!
Kelly Potts’ positive spirit is simply contagious! Image: Lauren Stirpe
Meet Gina!
Gina Mills is also known as MSG’s “ambassador of aloha”. She goes above and beyond to ensure that all our students and their families have top-notched customer service. She’s been with MSG since 2011 & has been many roles with us. She teaches our surf lessons, helps run the surf school during our busy seasons, and teaches and mentors our teen girls at our summer camp, and coaches at our Hawaii Surf Retreat. Everyone loves Gina’s approachable and compassionate personality both in and out of the water. Gina’s travel bug has taken her to Panama and Mexico as she loves practicing her Spanish and surfing skills.
Surf Coach Gina Mills shares her graceful style with our campers! Image: Lauren Stirpe
Camp Directors
Raised on Maui, Dustin Tester’s dad taught her how to surf when she was seven. She’s been a multi-sport water athlete ever since. She received her bachelor’s degree from Prescott College’s, wilderness therapy program. In the desert canyons of the San Juan River, Dustin got her inspiration for Maui Surfer Girls during her thesis project on creating a rite of passage for teenage girls. She’s taught thousands of students about the stoke of surfing, and living aloha. After many years of hosting teen camps, she is thrilled about the positive reception we’ve received for our Hawaii Surf Retreat for Women, many of which have been sold out with wait lists.
Liz Smith joined the MSG team after attending as a women’s camper in 2015! Liz is our marketing and social media manager year-round, and is one of our surf school managers as well. She’s been photographing the women’s and teen camps recently (mostly coming for the amazing food) and this is her first camp to work officially as a camp assistant. Besides being a surfer girl, she’s a wife and mom to two kids, and she’s on the Board of Directors at Carden Academy, where her kids are in school.
Catering by Joy
All meals and snacks are lovingly created by Joy and her assistant Meadow, who are always happy to provide alternative vegan, gluten-free or meals around any other dietary restrictions. We’ve had many repeat campers over the past couple years, and when asked why campers return, it’s always the same answer at the top : Joy’s Food!!!! Joy also loves having fun with themes- and Halloween is sure to be a blast once again! (ask her about the bachelorette party too!!!)
Schedule
We will create a tentative schedule for the week, but our adventures will be largely based on the weather and ocean conditions. Typically we surf each morning, then leave the afternoons open for various adventures including hikes, stand up paddling, snorkeling, or more surfing! Evening activities may include bonfires, games, and a surprise activity to cap off the magical week.
View the Opening Circle from last year’s camp
Accommodations
We are proud to host our women’s surf camps at Camp Olowalu. We reserve the inner cabin area as our private facility for the week, which features ‘on the sand’ cabins, two full, newly renovated bathrooms, and a spacious kitchen and mess hall area. The campground also features limited wi-fi and laundry facilities. The campground is located about 30 minutes from Kahului Airport (OGG) and 10 minutes from historic Lahaina town.
Waves
Our main break is Ukumehame Beach Park, where we are one of the very few surf schools to hold a permit. We surf on one of the healthiest reefs in the state, and one of the best waves for both beginner and intermediate surfers year round. We are excited to share the waves at Ukumehame Beach Park with our surf students and the attendants of our Hawaii Surf Retreat.
Lucy is surfing with Luna (the dog!), Gina is on the right and Dustin is behind, cheering them on!
Check out some of the surfing at last year’s surf camp & retreat
Travel
Free Airport Shuttles on Opening & Closing Days run from 10am–3pm*
*Please note that if you arrive a day or more before camp start dates or stay after camp closing date, you will be in charge of your own accommodations & transportation to and from camp.
If arriving by car, please be at Camp Olowalu by 3pm for our 4pm opening circle. (You do not NEED a car for this camp, on-island transportation is included in the cost)
If arriving by plane, please arrive before 3pm on opening and closing days. Please fly into and out of Kahului, Maui, airport code OGG. If departing after 3pm, you will be in charge of your late afternoon/evening transportation to airport. 30 days before camp start date you will receive an email link to our travel form. Please complete our travel form with your airline itinerary so we can arrange your airport shuttle.
Halloween in Lahaina
Often dubbed the “Mardi Gras of the Pacific”, Halloween on Front Street is one of the biggest events on Maui each year! The town closes off the main road to cars, allowing costumed visitors and residents the chance to walk freely down the street and enjoy the many events held throughout the evening. Many bars and restaurants feature live music, drink specials, and some highlights include the children’s parade (before dark) and a lively costume contest!
Kelly is excited for our Halloween camp!
